Son Lux

This past week we held our April Third Thursdays, featuring music writer Andy Whitman. Andy spoke about his career in engaging, reviewing, and writing about music. He played two songs, Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees" and Son Lux's "Stand." It was great to just sit there as a group and LISTEN. When's the last time you sat and just listened to a song? Typically we listen to music while we're doing something... at work, running, traveling in the car, at a social gathering. But it's rare that we focus ourselves solely on the music.

The first selection Andy played came from this guy named Ryan Lott, who plays under the name Son Lux. (Check out his blog or his Myspace page.) It was a really fascinating mash-up of drums, piano, electronics, samples of opera singers, and much more. He sings only one line, "You stand between me and all my enemies," over and over again, as the music changes in tempo, intensity, and instrumentation behind it. It was mesmerizing, and that night I bought the album, At War With Walls and Mazes, on iTunes.

It really pleased me to be part of an exchange that connected Andy, everyone in attendance, and Son Lux. Andy had discovered the music, shared it with us, and now we've had the chance to support the musician and Andy. There's just something really cool about that. And Son Lux's album is AMAZING. Thanks to Andy for speaking at Third Thursdays, and introducing us to some new music!